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INDIA 


QUESTIONS 
AND 
ANSWERS 


FOR 


MISSION CIRCLES AND BANDS 


BY MRS. JOHN NEWTON 


PRICE, FIVE CENTS 


1898 
WOMAN’S FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY 
OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
501 Witherspoon Building 
Philadelphia 


a 


INDIA. 


Questions and Answers for Mission 
Circles and Bands. 


I—Where is India, and how far is it from 
America ? 


It is about 15.000 miles from America, near 
the middle of the southern part of the Continent 
of Asia. 


2—How do Missionaries go to India? 


They formerly went in sailing vessels around 
the Cape of Good Hope, a voyage from three to 
four months long. Now, after crossing the At- 
lantic Ocean to England, they take the over- 
land route, which, since the opening of the 
Suez Canal, may be entirely by water. 


3—Over what bodies of water does the over- 
land route pass? 


Over part of the Atlantic Ocean, the Bay of 


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Biscay, the Straits of Gibraltar, the Mediter- 
ranean Sea, the Suez Canal, the Red Sea, the 
Straits of Bab-el-Mandeb, and the Arabian Sea. 


4—How is India bounded ? 


Along its border from northwest to southwest 
runs the great natural wall of the Himalaya 
Mountains, guarding India from the wild Tar- 
tars of the north, and from the more peaceable 
Chinese. The southern part is washed on three 
sides by the waters of the Indian Ocean. To 
the extreme east lies Siam. On the west, sep- 
arated from India by lofty mountains, lie Af- 
ghanistan and Beloochistan. 


5—What is the size of India ? 


India has an area of 1,474,606 square miles, 
equal to all Kurope except Russia; or to the 
United States east of the Mississippi. It is 1900 
miles long at its greatest length, 1500 miles wide 
at its greatest width. 


6—By what other name is India known? 


It is called Hindustan, the country or place of 
the Hindus. Foreigners use the name for all 
India, except Burmah, but natives give it, more 
correctly, to the centre only. 


7—In song and story India is celebrated for 
its beauty, while our Missionaries often tell us 
it is very dreary. Which is true? 


4 


7 ber 


Both are true. In the mountains the scenery 
is grand. The plains are beautiful at times, at 
others dreary and desolate beyond description. 


8—Describe the mountains. 


In the centre and south there are three ranges 
of mountains : the Vindhya range and the East- 
ern and Western Ghauts. In the north the 
Himalaya Mountains rise from the plains like a 
great wall. They are 1500 miles long, and some 
of the peaks are 20,000 feet high, or even higher. 
Every kind of climate and variety of scenery 
may be found in these mountains. 


9 —Describe the plains. 


Below the Himalaya Mountains are the North- 
ern Plains, which, viewed from the outer range 
of mountains, look like a great map. There are 
no hills and no forests. After the great grain 
crops have been gathered, and the hot wind of 
summer has scorched and withered every green 
thing, the plains look bare and desolate. Most 
of the cities and towns are there, and more vil- 
lages than can easily be counted. The climate 
of the plains is tropical. 


to—How are the seasons divided in India ? 


Into the cold, hot and rainy seasons, nearly 
corresponding in time with our winter, summer 
and autumn. The rainy season is sometimes 
called the Monsoon. 


11-—Describe the cold season. 

In the Deccan (south land) and the central 
_ parts of India it is never cold. The air becomes 
pleasantly cool, doors and windows stand open, 
very little rain falls, howers bloom, and fruit is 
abundant. Farther north there are sometimes 
frosty nights, and fires are needed. 


12— Describe the hot season. 

The hot season follows the cold, and the air 
which has been growing warmer becomes in- 
tensely hot. A scorching wind sweeps over the 
plains and withers the grass and flowers. Houses 
are closed before the sun rises, and outdoor work 
must be done in the early morning or after sun- 
set. 


13—How are the hot days varied? 

By dust storms, which rise often so suddenly 
and rapidly that it is not possible to find shelter 
before they burst, and travelers are sometimes 
suffocated by them. The dust sifts through the 
carefully closed doors and windows. Such a 
storm is welcomed, however, because it is often 
followed by a shower of rain, which cools the 
air for a time. 


14— Describe the rainy season. 


While the cold and hot seasons vary greatly in 
different parts of the country, the rainy season 
is of about equal length everywhere. From the 


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middle of June till the middle of September 
there is frequent, and in some places, almost 
continuous rain. The sandy plains are soon 
covered with the grass and crops, and the rivers 
often overflow their banks, but the heat con- 
tinues great. The last month of the rainy sea- 
son and that which follows it are the most un- 
healthy of the year. 


15—What creatures are found at this season ? 


Snakes,centipedes and scorpions, which are 
seldom seen at otherseasons. Many natives die 
every year from snake bites. Snakes often go 
into the houses. A missionary walking in his 
veranda late at night heard a sound like snor- 
ing. He traced it to an empty box, which he 
struck with his cane. Still the sound contin- 
ued. After securing help and a light he lifted 
the box and a large cobra was found under it. 
He was told that the snoring sound was onl 
made when the cobra became angry and wa 
about to strike. 


16—Are centipedes and scorpions dangerou 


They are not dangerous. The centipedes have 
a thick, horny body, and short legs which they 
fix in the flesh, and thus cause a painful wound. 
The writer, lifting her little boy out of bed one 
day, found a centipede between the sheets just 
below his feet. She has seen them fall on her 


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plate at table ; but was most startled, when she 
glanced down at her dress one evening, and saw 
the head of a centipede between its folds. 


17—What are the chief products of India? 

Wheat, Indian corn, barley and pulse of dif- 
ferent kinds in the north; rice, cotton, sugar- 
cane, indigo and opium in the centre ; coffee 
and spices in Ceylon ; tea on the slopes of the 
Himalayas. 

18—What are some of its fruits? 

The mango is most cultivated and universally 
liked. Cocoanuts and pineapples grow on the 
coast, and bananas are found everywhere. 
Oranges, lemons, guavas, loguats and many 
other fruits are abundant. 


19—What is the population of India? 

285,000,000, which is four times as great as 
the population of the United States. 

20—By whom is India governed ? 


By the British. In the year 1613 they estab- 
lished themselves at Surat, on the west coast, as 
traders. In 1757 they conquered Bengal. One 
province after another was added, until the 
whole country was brought under their control. 


21—Is the whole of India under dzrec¢ British 
rule? 


Many of the native states were allowed to 


8 


keep their own rulers. There are 153 of these 
states, varying greatly in size and power. Hy- 
derabad, the largest, contains 98,000 square 
miles of territory and has a population of about 
II,500,000, 


22—What is expected of their rulers ? 


That they will be loyal to the British, aid 
them in time of war, and adopt all important 
reforms in their government. They cannot ex- 
tend their territories without the consent of the 
British. 


23—How do the British hold this great coun- 
try? 


At each of the large cities there is a military 
force which can be sent, in case of war, to any 
part of the country. There is also a force of 
British officials, by whom laws are made and 
enforced, whose duty itisto note any discontent 
among the people. The power of the British 
lies in the fact that the natives are not united or 
warlike. 


24—Was India a civilized country when con- 
quered by the British? 


Long before the civilized world had dreamed 
of America, before England had emerged from 
barbarism, India ranked among the first naticns 
of the world in literature, science and art. 


9 


25—What remained for the conquerors to 
give? 

Christian civilization ; education for all, and 
not only for the favored few; science and art 
so applied as to make the feople prosperous and 
happy. 


26—What more must be done? 


The people of India must be told the glad 
tidings of that Saviour through whom alone 
true happiness can be found. 


27—Cannot the British officials in India do 
this ? 

In order to conciliate the natives, the British 
Government has forbidden its officers to teach 
Christianity. The Bible is not allowed in Goy- 
ernment schools; heathen festivals are kept 
as holidays, and grants of money are given to 
some of the chief heathen temples. Among 
these officers, however, are many Christian men, 
who by large gifts of money and by their influ- 
ence help the missionaries in their work. 


28—How many languages are spoken in _ 
India? 


Over one hundred distinct languages, anda 
much larger number of dialects. 


29—Mention some of the most important. 


Hindi, spoken by too millions; Bengali, by 


IO 


40 millions ; Tamil and Teluga, by 35 millions; 
Panjabi, by 16 millions; Marathi, by 15 mil- 
lions ; Gujarati, by 10 millions. Hindustani or 
Urdu, a mixture of Hindi and Persian, is under- 
stood in all the large towns and cities of India. 


30—What is the appearance of the people of 
India? 

They all have dark skins, black hair and eyes, 
and regular features, but different classes differ 
so much in appearance that those who are used 
to them can often tell at once from what locality 
they come, whether they are Mohammedans or 
Hindus, and the caste to which they belong. 


31—What is their character ? 

They have been accurately described as ‘‘ te- 
spectful to foreigners and superiors of their own 
countrymen ; patient under delays, disappoint- 
ments and emergencies ; peaceful, except in 
verbal warfare ; temperate and of simple habits ; 
untruthful, selfish, miserly, and deceitful.”’ 


32—How do they live? 

In closely built cities, towns or villages, rarely 
in country homes. . 
' 33—Describe the villages. 


In the south the villages are very pretty. 
They are built amid palm groves and have no 
walls. The low mud houses have thatched 


II 


roofs——often covered with vines; but the inte- 
rior is dirty and comfortless. In the north the 
houses are close together, and are built entirely 
of clay. There are no trees, and few flowers. 
The villages are generally surrounded by clay 
walls, and the smaller ones are occupied by 
farmers. 


34— Where are their farms? 


The fields lie around the villages. Hach man 
knows his own, but there are no fences between 
them. ‘They are generally owned by the head 
man of the village and rented to the farmers, 
who pay in produce. The cattle are taken to 
the waste lands every morning, and brought 
back at night. At the gate of the village they 
separate, each one going to its owner’s house, 
just as they did when Isaiah wrote, ‘‘ The ox 
knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s 
crib.’’—Isaiah I, 3. 


35—How are the houses furnished ? 


A few coarse woven mats are on the floor; a 
bedstead, which is used by the master of the 
house, while the wife and children sleep on the 
floor ; a spinning wheel; a few cooking uten- 
sils ; one or two small stools, and a box contain- 
ing the scanty wardrobe of the family, are all 
that are considered necessary to the family com- 
fort. Grain is stored in large vessels kept in the 


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room in which the family eat, sleep and live. 
Straw and feed for the cattle are kept on the 
roof, or in the court yards of the large houses. 


36—What is the daily life of the village 
people? 

The men plough, sow and reap, thresh and 
garner their grain; and as they have two crops, 
instead of one, every year, and often have to 
water their fields for one of these crops, they 
are kept busy. The women bring water from 
the well, which is outside of the village; grind 
the grain and cook it; spin, weave and make 
their garments. They also help in the care of 
the grain. 


37—If a stranger should visit a village, how 
would he be received? 


He would be regarded as a curiosity. The 
men and boys would gather around him, but he 
would see very few women. Looking up sud- 
denly, he might see women peeping over the 
walls, but they would disappear as soon as they 
saw they were noticed. 


38—How are missionary ladies received? 


They cannot easily get access to the women 
if they go as strangers; but when they are 
known and trusted, the women and children 
come to the entrance of the village to meet 
them, and, as they pass through the streets, 


13 


doors are thrown open, with a cordial, ‘‘ Come 
in, mem Sahib,’’ or a reproachful, ‘*‘ Youare not 
going to pass me by.”’ 


39—Are there schools in the villages? 


There are no schools in the smaller villages. 
The boys sometimes walk to the nearest town 
to attend school. The girls are taught only the 
duties of their home life. 


40—What is peculiarly interesting about the 
customs of the people of India? 


The fact that so many of them are like those 
with which Jesus and his disciples were familiar. 


41—Mention some that remind us of the 
story of the woman of Samaria. 


The wells are outside the towns and villages, 
and the women go out to them to draw water. 
They are surrounded by solid masonry, raised 
two or three feet above the ground; travelers 
often sit on this to rest. Kach woman brings 
her own brass vessel, and lets it down into the 
well by a rope. If atraveler is not furnished 
with a vessel or rope, he cannot get water, 
though sitting on the well. 


42—Mention one that shows how two women 
may be grinding at one mill. 


The mill consists of two large round stones, 
laid one above the other. The grain is poured 


yee 


into a hole in the top. On one edge is an up- 
right piece of wood which serves as a handle. 
Two women sit on the ground, on each side of 
the mill and, holding the handle, turn the upper 
stone. To make fine flour, the meal must be 
passed through the mill two or three times. 


43—How are we reminded of Jesus’ words by 
the shepherds and their flock? 


Shepherds do not drive the sheep and goats 
under their care. They go before and call, and 
the sheep know their shepherd’s voice and fol- 
low him, but are very timid with strangers. 


44—Where do the educated and wealthy 
classes live ? 


In the cities and large towns. Some of the 
cities contain very magnificent palaces and mos- 
ques of marble and stone, but the houses are 
generally built of brick around a central court- 
yard, on which all the rooms open. There are 
no windows on the outside, only a blank wall 
with one door for entrance. Even when not 
built thus, there are few windows, and they are 
so small and high the street cannot be seen 
from them. The streets are very narrow and 
dirty. Until lately, in Lahore, which is the 
capital of the Punjab and its largest city, no car- 
riage could be driven through the city, as it 
had no streets wide enough for two carriages to 
pass. 


5 


45—How do the women of the cities live? 


The poor women are servants to the rich, or 
wives of working men, and these last live as the 
women of the villages do. 

The richer women are never seen in the 
streets, or looking from their doors or windows. 
They would be disgraced if any man, except a 
near relative, father, husband, or brother, should 
look upon their faces. They seldom leave their 
homes except to attend family feasts, and to 
these they go in closed conveyances, often care- 
fully guarded. On arrival they are taken to the 
women’s apartments and are not seen by any of 
the male guests. 


46—How do they spend their time when at 
home? 


They cook and serve their husband’s meals. 
Sometimes they embroider or work on lace, and 
a very few read the Koran or the Shasters, but 
they lead a very idle life, and eagerly listen to 
the gossip of the streets brought to them by 
their servants. Wecall them Zenana women. 
Their own people say of them, they are Purdah- 
nishin —‘‘ behind the curtain.”’ 


47—Are these women glad to see missionary 
ladies ? 

The younger ones are glad to see them, and 
often eager to learn, but the older women do not 


16 


want the young to have the liberty which has 
been denied to themselves. They are sus- 
picious and bigoted, and sometimes refuse to let 
the missionaries visit in the household. As the 
mother-in-law is the feminine head of the house, 
it is necessary to gain her friendship before the 
younger women can be taught. 


48—What custom gives the mother-in-law 
great power ? 

All her sons live at home, and their wives, 
married when very young, are placed under her 
control. So long as she lives the wife has no 
authority and very little liberty in her own 
home. 


49—What are the chief religions of India? 


Brahmanisni1, Buddhism, Mohammedanism, 
Demon-worship and Parsi-ism. 


50—What is the religion of the Hindus? 
Brahmanism. 


51—What are the religious books of the 
Hindus? 

Their Shasters, or religious writings, are very 
numerous. The oldest, the Vedas, were written 
long ago, no one knows when orhow. The 
Hindus say they were written ‘‘ from before all 
time.’’ Many other books have since been 
added. Some of these regulate family and 


17 


social life, and formerly gave laws to the coun- 
try. 
52—What are the chief deities now worshiped ? 


The Supreme Being, of whom they say that 
nothing is known except that He exists and 
manifested Himself at different times as Brahma, 
the Creator; Vishnu, the Preserver; Siva, the 
Destroyer and Reproducer. Brahma is seldom 
worshiped. Siva has many temples, but is not 
always represented in human form. Vishnu is 
said to have appeared on the earth in ten dif- 
ferent forms, at first of animals, then of men. 
Some of these incarnations are the favorite gods 
of the Hindus. 


53—What are worshiped besides these gods? 


The. wives of the gods are worshiped, and 
there are also many inferior gods and goddesses, 
besides sacred animals, rivers, mountains, hills, 
plants and stones. The Hindus are said to have 
330,000,000 gods. 


54—Do the priests and learned men believe in 
all these gods? 

Many say they believe in ove god, but they 
teach the people to worship and fear many gods. 
The Brahmans build temples and shrines, and 
grow rich by the offerings of the worshipers. 


55—Jesus says we are to judge prophets (reli- 


18 


gious teachers) by their fruits: Matt. Vii. (13. 
What are some of the fruits of Brahmanism ? 


Caste, the poverty of the masses, the degra- 
dation of women, child marriage, infanticide, 
Suttee, Thuggee. 


56—What is Caste ? 


Brahmanism teaches that four classes of men 
were created by Brahma. I. The Brahmans, or 
priests. II. The Kshatriyas, or Rajputs— 
soldiers. III. The Vaisyas—farmers and mer- 
chants. IV. The Sudras—mechanics and ser- 
vants. Each of these castes has now many sub- 
divisions, and below all are the Pariahs, or Out- 
casts. 


57—How does caste affect the daily life of the 
Hindus? 


They may not eat or drink with those of a 
lower caste. If the shadow of a low-caste man 
falls on a Brahman’s food it must be thrown 
away. If hetouches the Brahman’s vessels they 
must, if metal, be scoured before using; if 
earthenware, destroyed. Marriages must be 
between those of the same caste. Those be- 
longing toa low-caste can never rise socially, 
while the higher castes can never fall except by 
transgressing caste rules. 


58—How does it affect character ? 


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It fosters pride, insolence and selfishness in 
those of high caste, since the Brahmans, even 
when wicked and debased, must be reverenced 
and worshiped. It represses industry and the 
desire for improvement in those of low caste, 
since, however worthy, energetic and prosper- 
ous they may be, they can never rise. 


59—How does it affect the introduction of 
Christianity into India? 


It hinders the spread of Christianity more than 
any other single influence. The converted 
Brahman must give up his claim to superior 
holiness, his power and wealth, and become like 
his Master, ‘‘despised and rejected of men.”’ 
All the native Christians must be willing to be 
abandoned by their families and friends, for 
after baptism into the Christian faith they can 
never be restored to their caste. 


60—How does Brahmanism keep the people 
poor ? 


Caste takes from them all hope of change. 
Accepting their position in life as their fate, 
sons learn and follow their fathers’ trades, and, 
until aroused by English energy and improve- 
ments, never dream of a better way than that 
which has been handed down through the cen- 
turies. The Brahmans by their extortions help 
to keep the people poor. 


20 


61—How has it degraded women ? 


It teaches that women’can hope for nothing 
in this life or in the next, except through their 
husbands. ‘‘A woman has no other god on 
earth but her husband,’’ says one of the Shas- 
ters. Asa woman she cannot hope for heaven. 
If very faithful and attentive to her husband, 
her next birth may be as asman, and then she 
may win heaven. The degradation of women 
has produced Infanticide, Child-marriage and 
Suttee. 


62—What is Infanticide ? 


Daughters being very unwelcome, they were 
often put to death, especially in high-caste 
families. An English law has made this a 
crime.. It is no longer done openly, but the 
last census proves that it is still done secretly. 

63—What is meant by Child-marriage? 

Little girls are married when between five 
and ten years of age. After marriage, the hus- 
band’s mother takes charge of the young wife 
and teaches her to be obedient and faithful to 
her husband. If the husband should die, the 
little girl becomes a widow and must be one all 
her life. 


64—What is Suttee ? 


The burning of widows with the dead bodies 
of their husbands. When Ranjit Singh, the 


21 


last king of the Punjab, died, eleven women 
were burned with him. The monuments marked 
suttees are nunierous all over India. 


65—How was it stopped ? 


More than fifty years ago an English law put 
a stop to this cruel rite. Soon after, an English 
officer heard that a widow was to be burned and 
went to rescue her. ‘‘It is a part of our relig- 
ion, and you have promised not to interfere 
with our religion,’’ said the Brahmans. ‘‘ Very 
well,’’ replied the officer ; ‘‘ but we have a law 
which hangs murderers, and if you burn this 
widow, I will have you arrested for murder.’’ 
The widow was not burned. 


66—How are the widows treated now? 


Kindness and sympathy are never shown 
them. Their jewels are taken away. All their 
lives they niust wear coarse clothing, eat coarse 
food and have no place at the family feasts. 
Whether they remain with their husband’s 
parents, or return to their own, they are no 
longer daughters, but servants, disgraced an@ 
despised. One of them, who to-day is suffer- 
ing all this, says: ‘‘ The English have abolished 
suttee, but, alas! neither the English nor the 
angels know what goes on in our homes! and 
Hindus not only don’t care, but think it good.” — 


67--How many widows are there in India 
now ? 


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22,657,429. Of these probably 80,000 are 
under ten years of age. 


68—What is 7Zhug gee ? 


The Thugs were men who devoted them- 
selves to the service of the cruel goddess Kali. 
Sometimes in bands, sometimes singly, they 
waylaid and murdered travelers. The Thugs, 
as an organized body, no longer exist, but one 
who has governed in India says: ‘‘ Instances 
of the poisoning of wayfarers have given warn- 
ing that Thuggee, under another form, is ever 
ready to spring into life again ”’ 


69——-Where is Buddhism to be found in India? 


Chiefly in Thibet, Burmah and Ceylon. For 
hundreds of years there were many Buddhists 
among the Hindus, and though as a distinct 
religion it has passed away from northern In- 
dia, it has not done so without changing Brah- 
manism, and being changed by it. There is a 
sect called Jains, which still holds many of the 
Buddhist doctrines. 


70--Who was Buddha? 


We are told that about 500 B. C. there lived 
in India a young prince, now known as Gau- 
tama Buddha—Auddha meaning the enlight- 
ened. He is also called Szddartha, which 
means, ‘‘He who has fulfilled his end.’’ His 
father wished him to be a soldier, but he loved 


23 


to think over the great questions of sin and sor- 
row, life and death. He went to the mountains, 
where he lived in a cave, and suffered from 
cold and hunger for six years. Then he felt he 
must go and preach to his people. 


71—What did he teach them ? 


That all men are brothers, and therefore 
there should be no caste, and that the gods of 
the Brahmans cannot save any one, for if men 
do wrong they will surely be punished. He 
taught also that there is no God but such as man 
may make of himself. To do this, home and 
friends must be left, coarse food must be eaten, 
rags worn—and men must not think of or do 
anything, good or bad—and then after death 
they would be ‘‘ blown out.”’ 


72--What did he teach those who could not, 
- or would not, choose this hermit life ? 


That they were to be kind to every living 
thing. They were not to kill or steal, lie or 
use strong drink. If they would obey these 
commands their souls would pass at death into 
a higher life, and at last into Mirvana (blown 
out). But if they failed, they would be born 
again in a lower form, and so through many 
births, always downward, until they reached an 
awful hell. 


73——Did Buddha profess to be a God ? 


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He claimed to have become a god, but only 
as others might also attain to divinity. He did 
not teach men to worship him, yet Brahman- 
ism claims him as one of its gods, and the 
Buddhists worship him and all connected with 
him. 


74--What are the fruits of Buddhism ? 


There are no traces now of the morality 
Buddha taught. A writer from Thibet says: 
‘Buddhism has converted the savage Thibe- 
tan into an apparently harmless, but in reality, 
an utterly false and hypocritical being.’’ An- 
other from Burmah says: ‘‘ It is the least hope- 
ful of the mis-faiths of misguided men.’’ And, 
‘* There is no motive to incite to high moral liv- 
ing,’’ says one from Ceylon. 


75—Were the Hindus the original inhabitants 
of India? 

No; they came from Central Asia and con- 
quered India about 5,000 years ago. The peo- 
ple they found there were savage tribes differ- 
ing in origin and language. They had no 
books nor written languages, and few mechani- 
cal arts. They were treated as servants by their 
conquerors, and were either included in the 
lowest caste or were driven to the mountains and 
to the south. 


76—What was the worship of these tribes? 


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Most of them were, and are, demon wor- 
shipers. They think that the earth is full of 
spirits, which dwell in trees, plants, streams and 
rocks, and must be conciliated by sacrifices and 
offerings. Among some of the tribes human 
sacrifices were not uncommon, but these have 
been abolished. 


77—What is’ pleasant to think of in connec- 
tion with these tribes ? 


That the ‘‘good news’ of Jesus’ love for 
them has touched many hearts, and that one 
tribe—the Santhal—now numbers many thou- 
sands of earnest Christians among the people. 


78—What is Mohammedanism ? 


Mohammed was a native of Arabia, who lived 
about 1300 years ago. He said he had received 
a new revelation from God, which was to take 
the place of all that had gone before. Gradu- 
ally he gathered around him many who believed 
that his so-called revelations were from God. 


79-—How did Mohammedanism increase ! 


Mohammed told the fierce warlike Arabians 
that God had commanded him to force all men 
to obey him, and that they were to go forth with 
this new revelation in one hand and the sword 
in the other, and to kill all who would not obey. 
They were promised wealth, honor and power if 
they conquered, and Paradise if they should fall 


26 


in battle. If they failed they would be dis- 
graced. So, crying, ‘‘There is one God, and 
Mohammed is His prophet!’ they went out to 
battle, and were generally victorious. Moham- 
medanism soon spread over western Asia and 
parts of Kurope and Africa. 


80—What is the sacred book of the Moham- 
medans, and what does it teach? 


It is called the Koran. Mohammed said it 
was a direct gift from God. It teaches that men 
are to be made holy by prayer, almsgiving, fast- 
ing, pilgrimage to Mecca (where Mohammed is 
buried), and by repeating passages of the Koran 
—especially the words ‘‘ There is one God, and 
Mohammed is his prophet.’ Mohammedans 
are taught to hate all who are of a different 
faith. It is a merit to lie to or steal from or kill 
an unbeliever. In India no word more bitter or 
more full of hate is heard from Mohammedans 
than the word ‘‘ Kdjir’’ (unbeliever). 


- 81—When and how was Mohammedanism in- 
troduced into India ? 


About one hundred years after the rise of 
Mohammedanism, India was invaded by the 
Afghans, who were Mohammedans. For 1100 
years it was subject to constant invasions from 
the Mohammedans at the North. Some retired 
after conquering rich provinces, carrying away 


27 


the wealth of the conquered. Others remained 
and founded kingdoms. But even at the time of 
their greatest power, Mohammedans never ruled 
over all India. 


82—How niany of the inhabitants of India are 
now Mohammedans? 


About fifty millions. 


83—What is their character? 


They are proud, arrogant, deceitful, sensual 
and cruel. Their hatred of Christianity is in- 
tense, and they are extremely difficult to reach 
with the Gospel. 


84—Who are the Parsis? 


They are Persians who were driven to India 
by the Mohammedans. They are the Fire- 
worshipers of the Hast. Their religion has 
little influence beyond their own community. 
There are 150,000 Parsis in India. 


85—What new sect has arisen within the last 
quarter of a century? 
The Brahma Samaj. 


86—What is its belief ? 


It believes in one supreme personal God, and 
in the immortality of the soul; in repentance as 
the way of salvation ; and in a spiritual worship, 
without rites or ceremonies. The sect is divided 
into Progressive and Conservative Brahmas, the 


28 


former of which reject altogether distinction 
of caste and all idolatrous customs, while the 
latter do so in theory, but in practice still 
cling to many old observances. 


Missions, 
87—-When and by whom were Protestant Mis- 
sions begun in India? 


In 1705, by the Danes. The first Mission- 
aries were Bartholomew Ziegenbalg and Henry 
Plutschau. 


88—What English society first sent Mission- 
aries to India? 

The Baptist. 

89—Who was the first Missionary sent to India 
by the Baptist Society? 


The Society was formed through the exertions 
of William Carey, who was sent out as its first 
Missionary, and reached India in 1793. 


go—What noted men soon joined him? 

Six years later (1799) he was joined by Messrs. 
Ward and Marshman. 

91—What did these three men accomplish ? 


They set up a printing press at Seramporc, 
and after translating the Bible, or parts of it, in- 
to thirty-one different languages, had it printed. 
They wrote, printed and distributed tracts. 


29 


They established schools in which 10 ooo chil- 
dren were taught, and also founded a college. 
In 1816, they had baptized seven hundred con- 
verts. 


92—Who was one of the first American Mis- 
sionaries to India? 


Adoniram Judson, the founder of Mission 
work in Burmah. 


93—When and by whom were American 
Presbyterian Missions commenced in India? 


In 1834, by the Rev. J. C. Lowrie, who was 
afterwards Secretary of the Presbyterian Board 
of Foreign Missions. 


94—Where was the first Mission Station? 


At Lodiana, a large city 1100 miles northwest 
from Calcutta, in the great northern plains. It 
is about forty miles in a direct line from the 
Himalayas, and six miles south of the Sutlej 
river. 


95—What made Lodiana an important place — 
fifty years ago? 


It was a military and civil out-post. The 
river Sutlej divided the provinces under British 
rule from the Punjab, then under native rule. 
It was also the chief city in a densely populated 
district. 


30 


96—How many Missions has the American 
Presbyterian Church in India now ? 


Three: the Lodiana Mission in the Punjab ; 
the Farrukhabad Mission in the Northwest 
Provinces ; and the Western India Mission in the 
Bombay Presidency. The Farrukhabad Mission 
was commenced at Allahabad in 1836; the West- 
ern India Mission in 1853, at Kolhapur. 


97—How many Stations and Sub-Stations 
have these Missions ? 


The Lodiana Mission has ten Stations and 
twenty-one Sub-Stations; Farrukhabad, seven 
Stations and ten Sub-Stations; Western, five 
Stations and twelve Sub-Stations. At the Sub- 
Stations the work is carried on chiefly by the 
native helpers, and no property is owned by the 
Board. 


98—How many Missionaries are connected 
with these Missions? 


One hundred and forty-one. Of these, ninety- 
two are ladies, but many who are the wives of 
Missionaries are prevented by home duties, 
from active missionary work. ‘There are also 
over one hundred native ministers, and many 
teachers ana helpers. 


99—What is the whole number of ordained 
Protestant Missionaries working in India? 


° 


31 


Between eight and nine hundred, belonging to 
sixty-five different Societies and Boards. ‘There 
are nearly as many native ministers. 


100—What proportion does this bear to Chris- 
tian work at home? 


It allows one pastor to teach for about 160,000 
of the people of India, while in the United 
States there is one ordained minister for each 
720 of its inhabitants. 


rtoI—What means do the Missionaries use to 
bring the people of India to a knowledge of the 
Saviour ? 


They preach in the streets or in roadside 
chapels; they establish schools in which the 
Bible is taught daily ; they write or translate 
Christian books and tracts, and print these and 
the Bible in the native languages. Some heal 
the sick, and by caring for their diseased bodies 
help them to understand Christ’s care for their 
diseased souls. 


102—What is the chief work of the lady Mis- 
sionaries ? 


In schools and Zenanas, they teach the little 
girls and women who are untaught and little 
loved. They also have charge of boarding- 
schools and orphanages, and some of them are 
physicians. 


32 


103—What was recently said in a Bengali 
newspaper about their method of teaching? 


‘* Before our children can read the Ramayan 
(a religious poem ofthe Brahmans), they know 
the Bible down to the Flood, and even the 
meaning of the Flood, and, of course, every- 
thing about Jesus Christ. And the result is that 
this knowledge, being implanted in their minds 
so early, they never forget tt.’’ 


104—What distressing events marked the year 
1896-"97 ? 


A terrible famine, followed by an outbreak of 
the bubonic plague. It is estimated that seyeral 
millions of persons died from these calamities. 
Our missionaries were able to give much relief 
to the starving, but it will be many years before 
the stricken districts can recover their former 
prosperity. 

105—How miany Protestant native Christians 
are there in India? 

Probably about 750,000. 


106—How many of these belong to the Amer- 
ican Presbyterian Mission (1898) ? 

About 3100. These are communicant church 
members, and do not include the large number 
who are under Christian influence in schools 
and families. 


33 


107—What other results have been accom- 
plished by Christian missions and civilization ? 


Slowly but surely caste barriers are breaking 
down. Less slowly and even more surely, im- 
prisoned, degraded, corrupted womanhood is 
being freed, raised and purified. Idol-worship 
is being forsaken. Humanity, crushed and 
trampled out of sight by an utterly selfish re- 
ligion, is beginning to stir men’s hearts. 


108—What has been said of India by one who 
lived and labored there? 


“‘India is too fair a gem to adorn any but the 
brow of Christ. It was one of her own sons 
who, touching but the hem of Christianity’s 
garment, said, ‘None but Jesus; none but 
Jesus ; none but Jesus ever deserved this bright, 
this precious diadem India, and Christ shall 
havezwls* 


34 


“HOW THEY SAY IT.” 


There are over one hundred distinct languages 
spoken in India, and a great many more dia- 
lects; of these languages not more than ten 
possess any very important literature. Hindus- 
tani or Urdu, a mixture of Hindi and Persian, 
is understood in all the large towns and cities. 
Hindi is read from left to right, and Urdu from 
right to left. Marathi is the language used by 
our missionaries in southern India. 


Geographical Names. 


Allahabad (Ulla-ha-bad). 
Ambala (Um-b4-la). 

Ant (Ah-nee). 

Bindki (Bind-key). 
Bombay (Bombiy). 
Calcutta (Kal-k{fit-ta). 
Dehra (Déy-ra), 

Dosnah (Dose-na). 

Etah (Até-ah). 

Etawah (It-Aw-wah). 
Farrukhabad (Fur-raick-4-bad). 
fatehgarh (Futty-gfr). 
fatehpur (Fatty-poor). 
Ferozepore (Feréze-poor). 
Gurshat (Goor-sah-high). 
Gwalior (Gwabh-lee-or). 
Harbans (Her-bfince). 


35 


Himalaya (Him-awl-ya). 
Hoshyarpur (H6-she-are-poor). 
Jahanabad (Jehan-a-bad). 
Jagraon (Jug-r6wn). 
Jagadri (Jug-td-ree). 
Jullundur (Jull-find-dhur). 
Shansi (John-see). 

Kartapore (Kir-ta-poor). 
Katra (Kiit-ra). 

Khanna (Kiin-na). 

Kodoli (Ko-dé-lee). 

Kolhapur (K6la-poer): 
Landour (Yan-déwer). 
Lodiana (1,0-dee-an-na). 
Mainpurie (Mine-péo-ree). 
Manthala (Money-halla). 
Mira] (Me-radge). 

Panhala (Pun-halla). 

Punjab (Pun-jawb). 
Ratnagiri (Rut-nug-géerie). 
Rawal Pindi (Raw-wuli-pin-dee). 
Sabathu (Sab-a-too). 
Saharanpur (Sa-ha-run-poor). 
Sanglt (Sung-glée). 
Sharakpur (Shir-ruck-pdor). 
Shuruwar (Shoo-réo-were). 
Sutle7 (Stiit-ledge). 

Tirwa (Téer-war). 

Wagah (Va-ga). 


a 


iene: 


Coins and Their Value. 
Mohur (Mé-hoor). About seven dollars. 
Rupée Less than fifty cents. 
Anna (A-na), One-sixteenth of a rupee, or two 
and a half cents. 
Pice One-fourth of an anna, or half a cent. 
Pie (Pye). One-third of a pice, or one-sixth of 
a cent. 
Measures, 
Gaz (Guz) One yard. 
Gira (Gee-ra), One-sixteenth of a yard. 


Weights. 
Maund (Mund). About 82 pounds. 
Seer (Sare). Two pounds. 
Chattak (Chut-tack). Two ounces. 


Distances. 


Kos (Cose). Two miles. 
Mil (Meal). One mile. 


Native Words Found in Missionary Literature. 
Angrez (Ung-graze). English. 
Ayah (Eye-ah). Nurse. 
Baboo (Baboo). Bengalee gentleman. 
Bai(Buy). Title of ‘‘lady.’’ 
*Batily (Bay-lee). Covered wagon drawn by 
bullocks. 
tBandy. Same as Baily. 


North India. fSouth India. 


37 


Bakshtsh (Bick-sheesh). Fee, or present. 

Bazaar (Ba-zar). Market place, shops. 

Begum (Bay-gum). Lady of rank (title). 

Bhajans (Bfid-juns), Sacred songs set to native 
music. . 

Bhistt (Bhéese-tee). Water carrier. 

Bibi (Bée-bee). Wife. 

Bunnia (Bin-nee-ah). Shop keeper. 

Buddha or Siddartha (Béod-dé). Founder of 
Buddhist religion. 

Cantonment (Can-té6on-ment), Military station. 

Chanda (Chfin-dah). Alms. 

Chawal (Chaw-wool). Rice. 

Charpai (Char-pie). Bed. 

Chirags (Chée-rags). Little earthen lamps. 

Chokidar (Chéw-key-dar). Watchman. 

Choola (Chéw-lah). Fireplace. 

Chuddar (Chfid-der). A muslin covering for 
head and shoulders. 

Cooltes (Codl-lees). Porters 

Crore. 10,000,000. 

Dak Gharry (Dék-garry). Post carriage. 

Dandy (Dan-dee). A canoe-shaped conveyance, 
in which Europeans are carried by coolies in 
the mountains. 

Deccan (Duck-un). South land. 

Dervish (Dur-vashe). A Mahomedan fanatic. 

Dhobi Dhé bee). Washer man. 

FEcka (Kék-ka). Two-wheeled pony cart. 

fakirs (Fik-ears). Religious beggars. 


38 


Gariwalla (Garry-walla). Driver of an ox cart. 

Gur (Goor). Raw sugar made from cane. 

Fladji (Ha-jee). A Mahomedan gentleman who 
has made the pilgrimage to Mecca. 

Hakim (Huck-kéem). Native doctor. 

Hisab (Hiss-sab). Arithmetic. 

Hloli (Ho-lee). A Hindu festival. 

Hlugga (Ho6ék-ka). A pipe. 

‘Kajir (Cah-fear). Unbeliever. 

Kapra Wolla (Cip-rah-wallah). A cloth mer- 
chant. 

Kua (Céo-ah). A well. 

Kurta (Coér-tah). A small coat. 

Lakh (Wack). 100,000 of anything. 

Lota (Lo-tah). Metal cooking utensil. 

Mashak (Mtsh-uck). Goat skin bag for water. 

Mela (May-lah). A religious fair. 

Mem Sahib (Maym Sah-hib). Mrs 

Moulvie (Méwl-vee). Native teacher (Hindi.) 

Munshi (Moén-shi). Native teacher (Mahome- 
dan). 

Nirvana \Near-va-na). Oblivion. 

Padre Sahib (Pad-re Sa-hib). Man missionary. 

Patkee (Pall-key). Enclosed carriage. 

Pujah (Péo-jah). Worship. 

Pundit (Pfin-dit). Teacher (Hindoo). 

Punkah (Ping-kah). House fan. 

Purdah (Pir-dah). A curtain. 

Rajah (Ra-ja). Man of high rank—petty king. 

Rani (Ra-nee). Queen. 


39 


Sardar (Sir-dar). A head man, or native officer. 


Saree (Sar-ree). A sheet used as an outer gar- 
ment or robe. 

Serat (Sir-éye). An inn. 

Strkari (Sir-ca-ree). Belonging to the Govern- 
ment. 

Sitar (Sit-tar). Musical instrument, similar to 
a guitar. 

Suttee (Sfit-tee). Burning of a widow with the 
dead body of her husband. 


Tandoor (Tun-dt-er). An oven. 

Zoolst (Tiil-see). A sacred plant. 

Tulwar (Tull-war). Native sword. 

Wilayat (Wull-éye-ut). The foreign country. 

Zenana (Zun-an-na). Part of the house occu- 
pied by the women. 


Salutations, 
Salaam (Sah-lam). ‘‘ Good morning ”’ (‘‘ peace 
be to you ’’). 
The salutation is made by bowing and touch- 
ing the forehead with the hand as the word 
‘‘Salaam’’ is spoken. 


(Hindustani in Roman letters.) 
St. John, 3d chapter, 16th verse: 

‘“ Kyunki Khudé ne jahin ko atsa piydr kiya 
hat, ki us ne apnd tkhlautad Betéi bakhshd, taki jo 
kot us par imdn lawe, halik na ho balki hamesha 
ki zindagi piwe.”’ 

This text is generally used by native teachers 
and preachers. 


40 


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